Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for enhancing user interaction with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: data encoding a database, the database comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing an IVR; instructions executable by the processor for automatically communicating with at least one user; and instructions executable by the processor to pull at least one menu from the database and display the menu to the at least one user, wherein the menu is associated with a telephone number dialed by the at least one user, and wherein the menu comprises at least one icon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system andmore specifically the invention relates to visual selection of IVRoption from a caller device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology is generally used to detectvoice and key inputs from a caller. Various organizations such as banks,insurance companies, and other service providers use IVR technology tomanage calls from their customers. Typically, IVR systems are used byorganizations that have high call volumes. An objective for implementingthe IVR systems is to provide the customers with a quick and goodexperience. Moreover, the cost of providing the services is reduced.

Generally, when the caller calls a destination, such as a bank, anautomated audio menu is played. The audio IVR menu can containinstructions to provide instant services such as account balance inquirywhen the destination is a bank. Further, audio menu can provide optionsfor the caller to connect to a desired end inside the destination. Forexample, the menu may direct the caller to press various keys on atelephone to connect to a particular department or agent. The audio IVRmenu is designed specific to a destination. Therefore, each destinationor organization may have different IVR menus. Further, the IVR menu inan organization can be based on the type of departments, type ofservices, customer care executives or agents and so forth. For example,an IVR menu of a bank may include options related to the account detailsof the caller, while an IVR menu of a pizzeria may contain options toorder or select a pizza.

Typically, the caller calling the destination may have to listen andfollow instructions on the menu to get a desired response or a functionperformed. Therefore, the process can be time consuming. Moreover, incase the caller provides an incorrect input, the complete process mayhave to be repeated. Furthermore, the IVR menu for an organization maybe updated or changed regularly. For example, extension numbers insidean organization may be changed and correspondingly, the extensionnumbers associated with the IVR menu may be updated. As a result, afrequent caller may not be able to reach a desired end by remembering acombination of numbers. Therefore, the caller may become frustrated withthe IVR systems.

Some prior art try to address this problem by providing visual form ofIVR. These prior arts display the IVR menu graphically on a callerdevice. U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,743 assigned to International BusinessMachines Corporation and a published U.S. Patent Application with Ser.No. 11/957,605, filed Dec. 17, 2007 and assigned to Motorola Inc.,provides the IVR menu of the destination in a visual form to the caller.The caller can select the options from the IVR menu without listening tothe complete audio IVR menu. However, the IVR menu displayed on thecaller device is stored on an IVR server at the destination end. As aresult, the visual IVR menu is specific to the destination and only theIVR of the destination dialed is displayed. Further, the IVR menu may berequired to be configured on the server of the destination to display itto the caller, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,092,738 assigned toInternational Business Machines Corporation. A U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/467,548, filed Aug. 26, 2006 discloses sending digitalsignals from the destination to the caller device. Thereafter, thedigital signals are processed by the caller device for presenting avisual display of the IVR menu. These techniques therefore, require eachdestination to set-up hardware, software and other facilities to bedeployed for providing visual IVR servers.

Another existing technique as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,320assigned to International Business Machines Corporation enables anoperator of the IVR to send customized signals to the caller forgenerating and displaying graphical elements on the device of thecaller. Thereafter, the caller can respond by selecting options throughtouch-screen interface of the device. Dual Tone Multi frequency (DTMF)signals of the IVR. However, this technique requires a specificallyconfigured device to interpret the codes sent as Dual Tone Multifrequency (DTMF) signals for generating the graphics. Moreover, anoperator is required to present the graphics to the caller. Furthermore,specialized software and hardware are required at the operator to designand generate DTMF codes. Therefore, the technique faces variouspractical limitations. Further, a U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,990 assigned toLester Sussman, discloses visual menus for a touch-tone telephone withan embedded computer. In this case the text menus may be pre-loaded intothe telephone of the caller as text menus. Therefore, when the callerdials the destination, an associated text menu is displayed on a screen.However, this technique is limited to touch-tone telephones withembedded computer. Another existing technique as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/957,605, filed on Dec. 17, 2007 andassigned to Motorola Inc., provides a directory of an IVR system in theform of, for example, a menu tree, on screen of the caller device.However, the menu tree is provided to the caller device by a remoteserver. Another existing technique discloses sending messages such asShort Messaging Service (SMS) to the caller device corresponding to theaudible IVR menu. Such technique is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/877,952, filed Oct. 24, 2007. However, the message functionsonly as a visual aid and the caller is still required to listen andrespond to the audio IVR menu. A published PCT Application WO2008/086320, filed Jan. 7, 2008 and assigned to Snapin Software Inc.,displays IVR menu to the caller's device after connecting a call withthe destination.

Generally, the IVR menus of the organizations are in form of audiblemenu. Moreover, there are a large number of organizations that use IVRmenus. Therefore, converting the audible menus to visual menus can betime consuming. An existing technique, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,920,425 assigned to Nortel Networks Limited, discloses an automatedscript to convert the audible menus scripts to visual menu scripts.However, the audible menus scripts must be available in a particularformat to enable the conversion. Furthermore, the audio menu scriptsmust be available or downloadable for the program to function. As aresult, only the audio menus scripts that are available can be convertedto visual menu scripts. Furthermore, the device of the caller must bedesigned or programmed to understand the visual menu scripts. A U.S.Pat. No. 6,885,737 assigned to BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.,discloses a web interface for displaying the IVR menu. However, a serveris required to transmit the IVR menu to the caller's device.

Various organizations encourage the customers to call them forinformation on their products or services, or for helping existingcustomers. Generally, a contact number is provided by the organizationson their website as a button. Therefore, when the customer presses thebutton a form is displayed. The customer then enters his contact numberwhere an executive from the organization may call. However, this may betime consuming for the customer. Moreover, the customer may be not beingable to talk to another executive during the call in case the on-lineexecutive is not able to satisfy the customer. U.S. Patent Applicationwith Ser. No. 12/049,021, filed Mar. 14, 2008 and assigned to HarpritSingh, provides methods and systems for displaying an IVR menu, when thecaller clicks a link on a webpage provided by the organization. However,the customer is still required to request the webpage with embeddedinformation from a server of the organization. Moreover, the methods andsystems are limited to the organizations that provide the requiredwebpage to the customers. Other technologies include U.S. PatentApplication with Ser. No. 11/877,952 filed Oct. 24, 2007 and assigned toInternational Business Machine Corporation.

The effectiveness of providing the IVR in visual form is discussed in atechnical paper titled, ‘The Benefits of Augmenting Telephone Voice MenuNavigation with Visual Browsing and Search’ by Min Yin et al. The paperdiscusses a setup where visual content of the IVR is sent from a serviceprovider to a computer connected to a mobile phone. However, thetechnique discussed in the paper is limited to the visual contentprovided by the service provider's end, after the connection isestablished. Moreover, the providers are required to individually set upthe hardware and services for providing visual content.

As discussed above the existing technologies have various limitations.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention is to provide to a caller using a device avisual menu corresponding to an audible IVR menu of a destination.

Another aspect of the invention is to enable the caller to directlyinteract with the visual menu without listening to the audible IVR menuof the destination.

Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide the visual menu to thecaller before establishing a connection of the device with thedestination.

Another aspect of the invention is to enable the caller to interact withthe visual menu by using a touch sensitive screen of the device.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide advertisements related tothe destination or function of the destination dialed by the caller.

A caller may dial or select a phone number from a device of adestination. The phone number is detected by Visuphone implemented onthe device to display a visual menu corresponding to the audible IVRmenu of the destination. Visuphone may be hardware, an applicationstored as a software or firmware on the device, or a combinationthereof. Visuphone may include a database of visual menus correspondingto audible IVR menus for various destinations. Thereafter, the callermay interact with the visual menu displayed on the device to establish aconnection with the destination. Furthermore, Visuphone may detect andlaunch a VOIP application for establishing the connection. Moreover,Visuphone may provide pre-recorded or computer synthesized audioresponses on behalf of the caller to the destination.

An enhanced telephone system is provided. The telephone system comprisesa database that comprises one or more phone numbers and one or moremenus corresponding to the phone numbers, wherein the menus comprise oneor more options for selection. The telephone system comprises means forcomparing a dialed number to the phone numbers in the database; meansfor displaying a menu based on a result of the comparison; means forenabling selection of the one or more options from the displayed menu;and means for establishing a connection with a destination of the dialednumber based on the selection of the one or more options.

An enhanced telephone system is provided. The telephone system comprisesa database comprising one or more phone numbers and one or more menuscorresponding to the phone numbers, wherein the menus comprises one ormore options for selection; means for comparing the a received number ofa received call to the phone numbers in the database; means fordisplaying a menu based on a result of the comparison; and means forenabling selection of the one or more options from the displayed menu.

A method for providing enhanced telephony is also provided. The methodcomprising identifying a number dialed from a telephone system;comparing the dialed number to one or more phone numbers stored in adatabase, wherein the database comprises one or more menus correspondingto the phone numbers, and wherein the menus comprises one or moreoptions for selection; and displaying on the telephone system a menufrom the database based on a result of the comparison.

Another aspect of the invention is to generate a database of visualmenus. The database generation could be done by successive calling theIVR and combined with voice recognition. Calling the IVR systems can bedone manually by operators that will listen to options of the IVR andenter these options into the database. In this manual mode, the operatorwill dial IVR numbers from a list and for each of them will follow allthe options in several levels and in each level, enter the menu entriesinto the database. This can be done to many different IVR phone numbers,by one or multiple operators. The voice menu can be recorded to foranalyzing in a different process or a different time.

Another aspect of the invention is to generate a database of visualmenus by a computer system. Combination of hardware and software that isconnected to phone system and automatically dials the IVR phone numbers,record the different options of the voice menu, analyze the voice menuand generate and enter the different entries into the database. Thesystem will generate the voice tone that simulates the relevanttouchtone of a phone number pressed. This process will be done inseveral levels until covering all the entries in all the levels of thespecific IVR system. This process is done for all the IVR phone numberin the list.

Additional alternative is to access the IVR internal database anddownload the menu. This approach requires the collaboration with the IVRmaker and at least permission from the IVR owner. Having both a systemcould be build to access IVR using their maintenance port, which isoften connected to the Internet. Accordingly, the system would accessthe IVR and once authorized by the IVR owner it will download theinternal file representing the IVR menu, which could be called the IVRcustomization record. The downloaded file would then be converted tovisual menu by utility that could be design according to the format,which could be provided by the IVR maker.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide updates to the visualmenus stored in the device.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the visual menu when thecall is forwarded from one destination to another.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide visual menus on electronicdevices with screens that are connected to Visuphone.

Additional aspect of the invention is an automatic learning of userchoice and uses that for assisting the user in his future calls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 a illustrates an exemplary environment where various embodimentsof the invention function;

FIG. 1 b illustrates another exemplary environment where variousembodiments of the invention function;

FIG. 1 c illustrates yet another exemplary environment where variousembodiments of the invention function;

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary audible Interactive Voice Response(IVR) menu at a destination;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary visual menu at a device correspondingto the audible IVR menu of the destination;

FIG. 2C illustrate an exemplary visual menu that display graphics foreach option;

FIG. 2D illustrate an exemplary tooltip that is displayed when a curseris hovering on an option in the visual menu;

FIG. 3A, 3B illustrates exemplary components of the device forimplementing a Visuphone, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary display of the visual menu on thedevice, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary components of the device for implementingthe Visuphone, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary display of the visual menu on thedevice, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a webpage displayed on the device that may be used toinitiate a connection to the destination, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary software architecture of Visuphone, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary components of the Visuphone, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary remote server for storing informationrequired by the Visuphone, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates presentation of a visual menu in case of callforwarding, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates the presentation of the visual menu when a phoneconnection is associated with a wide band internet ‘smart’ modem;

FIG. 13 illustrates the presentation of the visual menu when a telephoneconnection is established through an external telephone service by usinga computer;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C illustrate a Visu-add-on that provides thefeatures and functionality of the Visuphone;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D illustrate a flowchart diagram forpresentation, selection and update of visual menus, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary components of a device for implementing adatabase construction system, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C illustrate exemplary components of the databaseconstruction system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart diagram for creating a database forvisual menus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary set of IVR categories;

FIG. 20A illustrates an exemplary information process stored in adatabase;

FIG. 20B illustrates an exemplary web form generated for the informationprocess of FIG. 20A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 a illustrates an exemplary environment where various embodimentsof the invention function. A caller 106 may use a device 102 a toconnect to destinations 108 a-n. Device 102 a can be a telecommunicationdevice that can connect directly to a Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 110. A person skilled in the art will appreciate, that device 102a can also connect to a private telephone exchange. Examples of device102 a include, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile phone, aSmartphone or any other device capable of voice or data communication.When caller 106 dials a phone number and connects to any destinationfrom destinations 108 a-n, an audible Interactive Voice Response (IVR)menu may be played to caller 106. Each of destinations 108 a-n can havedifferent IVR menus. For example, IVR menus of bank may be completelydifferent from that of a hospital. Typically, the audible IVR menuprovided by destinations 108 a-n comprises audible options orinstructions. Caller 106 may be required to select various options fromthe audible IVR menu to obtain the required information or service fromthe dialed destination. Various types of destinations 108 a-n thatimplement the audible IVR menu include, for example, banks, hotels,fast-food outlets, utility services providers, corporate offices and soforth. Device 102 a includes a Visuphone 104 that displays a visual menuon device 102 a corresponding to the audible IVR menu based on a phonenumber of the destination to be connected. Visuphone 104 may behardware, an application stored as software, a firmware on device 102 a,or a combination thereof. Thereafter, caller 106 can select the optionsof the audible IVR menu from the visual display without the requirementto listen to the audible instructions. Exemplary audible IVR menu atdestination 108 a and a corresponding visual menu are explained indetail in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 1 b illustrates another exemplary environment where variousembodiments of the invention function. As shown, device 102 b can be adevice that can be connected directly to a network 112. Examples ofdevice 102 b include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, alaptop, a mobile phone, a smart-phone, a fixed line telephone, VoiceOver Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone or other devices capable of voice ordata communication. Device 102 b may include various applications orcomputer programs that enable caller 106 to use device 102 b forconnecting to destinations 108 a-n through PSTN 110 over network 112.For example, the applications may be VOIP applications, such as but notlimited to, Skype, Magic Jack, Google Talk and so forth. A gateway 116provides interconnection between PSTN 110 and network 112. Examples ofnetwork 112 include any wired or wireless network, such as but notlimited to, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), aWi-fi network and so forth. As discussed with reference to FIG. 1 a,destinations 108 a-n presents the audible IVR to caller 106. Device 102b includes Visuphone 104 b that displays a visual menu on device 102 bcorresponding to the audible IVR menu based on a phone number of thedestination to be connected.

FIG. 1 c illustrates yet another exemplary environment where variousembodiments of the invention function. As shown, device 102 b can beconnected to PSTN 110 through network 112 or through the cellularnetwork 111. Various service providers provide multiple or overlappingservices to customers. For example, cable television service providermay also provide phone and Internet service, optical Internet providermay also provide phone or television services, WiMax service providersthat provide phone service and so forth. Network 112 may be any serviceprovider that provides such services, for example, but not limited to,cell phone services, wireless services, Internet services, cabletelevision services, or various combinations of the above or other typeof services. As discussed with reference to FIG. 1 a, destinations 108a-n presents the audible IVR to caller 106. Device 102 b includesVisuphone 104 that displays a visual menu on device 102 b correspondingto the audible IVR menu based on a phone number of the destination to beconnected.

With reference to FIG. 2A, an audible IVR menu 222 a at destination 108a is illustrated. A person skilled in the art will appreciate thataudible IVR menu 222 a is an exemplary graphical representation of theaudible instructions presented by destination 108 a for the sake ofexplanation and is not an actual graphical display. For explanation,assuming that destination 108 a is a pizzeria that provides homedelivery and takes away services. Caller 106 connects to destination 108a by dialing a board phone number 202 a. Subsequently, various optionsof audible IVR menu 222 a are played to caller 106. The various optionsinclude an option 204 a that plays an audible instruction, “press 2 forpizza order”, an option 206 a that plays an audible instruction, “press3 for order status”, an option 220 a that plays an audible instruction,“press 0 for main menu”. Caller 106 can select an option by pressingfrom device 102, a button corresponding to the instructions in theaudible IVR menu. Subsequently, the selected options are transmitted tothe destination and the menu is advanced if there are any furtheroptions. Alternatively the display can present the next layer of menuoptions to give the user better view of the option domain and allow evenfaster interface between user and the IVR.

For example, selection of option 204 a presents an option 208 a thatplays an audible instruction, “press 1 for veg” and an option 210 a thatplays an audible instruction, “press 2 for non-veg” is played.Similarly, selecting option 208 a or 210 a presents or option 214 a thatplays an audible instruction, “press 1 for home delivery”, an option 216a that plays an audible instruction, “press 2 for take away”. Similarly,selection of option 206 a presents an option 212 a that plays an audibleinstruction, “press 1 to talk to an executive”.

Options 204 a, 206 a, 208 a, 210 a, 212 a, 214 a, and 216 a are part ofa main menu 218 a. Main menu 218 a can be repeated by selecting option220 a by caller 106. Caller 106 may repeat main menu 218 a for example,in case of a mistake in selection. Therefore, caller 106 directlyinteracting with audible IVR menu 222 a may be required to listen to allor various audible options before executing a desired action. However,the interaction is simplified by Visuphone 104, that presents a visualmenu 222 b to caller 106 corresponding to audible IVR menu 222 a, asexplained with reference to FIG. 2B.

As shown in FIG. 2B, visual menu 222 b is displayed on a screen ofdevice 102 b that may connects to destination 108 a through network 112and the PSTN 110. Visual menu 222 b can be displayed before a connectionis established with destination 108 a. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that device 102 b is illustrated for the sake of explanation,and similar visual menu 222 b can be displayed on device 102 a thatconnects to destination 108 a directly through PSTN 110. Visual menu 222b includes various nodes corresponding to the options of an audible IVRmenu of destination 108 a. The various nodes of visual menu 222 binclude a node 202 b for connecting to board number 202 a of destination108 a. Similarly, nodes 204 b, 206 b, 208 b, 210 b, 212 b, 216 bcorresponds to option 204 a, 206 a, 208 a, 210 a, 212 a, 216 arespectively. A node corresponding to option 220 a may not be requiredin visual menu 222 b, as the complete menu is visible and caller 106 maynot be required to repeat audible IVR menu 222 a. Therefore, when caller106 selects a node from visual menu 222 b, Visuphone 104 automaticallytransmits the desired action corresponding to the options in audible IVRmenu 222 a to destination 108 a. For example, assuming that caller 106calls destination 108 a to order a veg pizza for home delivery. In thiscase, caller 106 directly selects nodes 208 b and 214 b from a touchscreen of device 102 a, corresponding to veg pizza and home deliveryfrom visual menu 222 b. Alternatively, caller 106 directly selects nodes204 b, 208 b and 214 b by pressing corresponding keys ‘2’, ‘1’, and ‘1’,from a keypad or screen of device 102 a without a need to listen to thecomplete audible IVR menu. Visuphone 104 accordingly transmits thesignals to audible IVR menu 222 a. In this case, the signals required byaudible IVR menu 222 a may be the Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tonesof ‘2’, ‘2’, and ‘1’ for options 204 a, 208 a, and 214 a. Moreover,caller 106 may not be required to select all the options. For example,when caller 106 wants to order a veg-pizza for take away. Then, only thenodes 208 b and 216 b may be required to be selected, and node 204 b isautomatically understood by Visuphone 104 b. Furthermore, a node that isnecessary for a transaction is automatically highlighted. For example,if caller 106 only selects node 216 b for take away, then node 208 b fora veg-pizza or node 210 b for non-veg are highlighted for selection. Inan embodiment of the invention, caller 106 may select nodes irrespectiveof the sequence presented in the audible IVR menu. For example, node 214b for home delivery may be selected before node 208 b of veg-pizza.Visuphone 104 automatically generates a sequence of the selections madeby caller 106 and transmits it to the destination. Furthermore,Visuphone 104 stores the selections and the numbers dialed by the callerduring the call in association with the destination number. TheVisuphone may enable callers to search or bookmark options in a menuwith a large number of options. For example, callers can search for anode 214 b from the menu by typing ‘home delivery’. As a result,navigation of a complete visual menu may not be required.

In an embodiment of the invention, visual menu 222 b is displayed tocaller 106 when a call is received at device 102. For example, a serviceprovider may call to provide information about new services or accountof caller 106. Further, caller 106 may be required to select variousoptions based on his preferences. Visuphone 104 b may detect thereceived number and correspondingly display a visual menu to the caller.

FIG. 2C illustrates a visual menu 222 c with added graphics for thenodes. It is well known that graphics are easier to learn and are fasterto recognize than words. Therefore, graphics are used in variouscomputerized device interfaces. The exemplary graphics as shown withreference to FIG. 2C are icons. Various other types of graphics can bedisplayed for example, animated icons, icons that highlight or animatewhen the node is highlighted, and so forth.

The graphics may be displayed for each node or a few nodes based on theusability of visual menu 222 c. For example, for the node 208 can iconof a vegetable may be displayed to designate a vegetarian pizza, and forthe node 214 c of home delivery, an icon of house may be displayed. Inan embodiment of the invention, visual menu 222 c can be customized todisplay only the text, only the icons or both. Furthermore, caller 106can suggest or use various icons based on his preferences.

FIG. 2D illustrate an exemplary tooltip that is displayed when a curseris hovered over an option in the visual menu. As shown, a tooltip box222 is displayed when a cursor 226 is hovered on option 204 c or 206 c.Similarly, a tooltip box 224 may be displayed containing the next menutext with or without it's available options 210 c, 208 c in case theuser decides to select the option over which cursor 226 is hovered, forexample option 204 c.

In an embodiment of the invention, Visuphone 104 b may provide astandard menu per group of similar audible IVR or destinations. Withreference to FIG. 2B an example of a menu at a pizza provider isdiscussed. Generally, every pizza provider may have its specific audibleIVR menu. However, caller 106 may prefer to use a single standard visualmenu for all pizza providers. Therefore, learning a single visual menuwill be useful for engaging various providers. In such a case, thedatabase may include a standard menu per class of compatible providers.Visuphone 104 b may offer caller 106 an option to use the standarddomain menu. Therefore, when caller 106 makes a selection on thestandard menu, Visuphone 104 may translate the selection to the specificaudible IVR menu selection and send the proper dialing tones to thatspecific audible IVR. Furthermore, the standard menus may be published.Therefore, various providers may modify their own menus to help theircustomers. Additional aspect of the standard menu is the use of icons asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 2C. The icons may represent standardchoice across various domains. For example, if a specific icon mayrepresent sales, then the same icon may be used for sales of airlinestickets when the destination is an airline company or sales of telephoneservice when the destination is a telephone company. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the caller may customize the icons or graphics displayedon the menu.

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary components of device 102 a for implementingVisuphone. Device 102 a includes a system bus 324 to connect the variouscomponents. Examples of system bus 324 include several types of busstructures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 1 a, device 102 a can be a device suchas computer, a smart-phone and so forth. Device 102 a can connect toPSTN 110 through a gateway 324, which is connected to network 112through a network interface 314. Input/Output (IO) interface 316 ofdevice 102 a may be configured to connect external or peripheral devicessuch as a memory card 318, a keyboard and a mouse 320 and a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) device 322. Although not shown, various other devicescan be connected through IO interface 316 to device 102 a. In anembodiment of the invention, device 102 a may be connected to a hub thatprovides various services such as voice communication, Internet access,television services and so forth. For example, the hub may be a HomeGateway device that acts as a hub between the home environment and theBroadband Network.

Device 102 a includes a display 302 to output graphical information tocaller 106. In an embodiment of the invention, display 302 may includesa touch sensitive screen. Therefore, caller 106 can provide inputs todevice 102 a by touching display 302 or by point and click using the‘mouse’. Memory 306 of device 102 a stores various programs, data and/orinstructions that can be executed by Central Processing Unit (CPU) 304.Examples of memory include, but are not limited to, a Random AccessMemory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a hard disk, and so forth. Aperson skilled in the art will appreciate that other types ofcomputer-readable media which can store data that is accessible by acomputer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, and the like, may also be used by device 102 a. Memory 306 mayinclude Operating System (OS) (not shown) for device 102 a to function.Further, memory 306 may include other applications 310 that enable thecaller to communication with destinations. Examples of otherapplications 310 include, but are not limited to, Skype, Google Talk,Magic Jack, and so forth. Other applications 310 may be stored assoftware or firmware on device 102 a. Further, memory 306 includesVisuphone 104 for presenting a visual menu corresponding to the audibleIVR menu of destination as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and2C. Visuphone may be an application stored as a software or firmware ondevice 102 a. The visual menus are stored in a visual menu database 308in memory 306 of device 102 a. Visuphone 104 searches visual menudatabase 308 for visual menus corresponding a phone number ofdestinations 108 a-n dialed by caller 106. Further, Visuphone 104searches visual menu database 308 for visual menus corresponding a phonenumber of a call received from a destination to caller 106.Subsequently, if the visual menu for the phone number is available inthe database, then the visual menu is displayed on display 302. Further,Visuphone 104 may be implemented as a plug-in to other applications 310.Therefore, when a phone number is dialed from other applications 310,Visuphone 104 detects the dialing of the number and automaticallydisplays the visual menu corresponding to the phone number. Thereafter,the caller can interact with the visual menu, without listening to thecomplete audible IVR menu of destinations.

With reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary display of a visual menu 406 ondevice 102 c is illustrated. The caller may dial a phone number 402corresponding to a destination using keypad 320. Keypad 320 may be aphysical keypad or a virtual keypad displayed on a touch screen display412. Subsequently, visual menu 406 corresponding to phone number 402 issearched and displayed on display 412.

In an exemplary instance, if caller dials a phone number of an IVRdestination, then a visual menu corresponding to audible IVR menu of thedestination is displayed on display 412. Similarly, if the callerreceives a call from a phone number of destination, then a visual menucorresponding to audible IVR menu of destination is displayed on display412. Thereafter, caller can interact with the visual menu to selectoptions from the audible IVR menu. Visual menu 406 may be displayedbefore actual connection of device 102 c to destinations. Therefore,caller can select a desired action from visual menu 406 beforeconnecting to destinations. In an embodiment of the invention, visualmenu 406 may be provided in real-time to caller. In an embodiment of theinvention, visual menu 406 is provided a messaging service such as aShort Messaging Service (SMS). Therefore, destinations may providecustomized visual menu 406 to caller 106. Visual menu 406 may becustomized based on the profile of caller. In an embodiment of theinvention, the profile may be generated based on access pattern ofcaller or the data capture by a hub connected to device 102 c.

Caller can interact with visual menu 406 by pressing a desired buttonfrom keypad 320. For example, caller can press a ‘5’ key from keypad 320to select a node 5 in visual menu 406. Further, caller can directlyselect the node 5 of visual menu 406 from display 412, in case of atouch sensitive screen. Depending on the complexity or size ofdestinations, visual menu 406 may have various nodes. Moreover, displayarea of display 412 may be limited or small. As a result, all the nodesof visual menu 406 may not be displayed together on display 412. In sucha case, Visuphone is configured to allow caller to navigate by scrollinghorizontally and/or vertically to view nodes on visual menu 406.Further, Visuphone may detect the capability of device 102 a beforedisplaying the visual menu. For example, in case device 102 a is a basicmobile phone with limited functionality of the display screen.Therefore, Visuphone may display the visual menu in form of a simplelist. Similarly, a list may be displayed in case of fixed linetelephones. Moreover, in case device 102 c includes a high capabilityscreen, such as but not limited to an iPhone, then the visual menu isdisplayed in form of graphics.

Subsequently, after caller selects a desired action from visual menu406, a connection is established between device 102 c and destinationsbased on the selected option. In one embodiment, Visuphone is configuredto detect and present an application or computer program available ondevice 102 c.

Visuphone can be further configured to display an advertisement 408.Advertisement 408 may correspond to the type of services provided by thedialed destinations. For example, if destination dialed is a pizzeria,then advertisement 408 may include promotions or offers about a newpizza. Moreover, advertisement 408 may include promotions or offers froma third party or a competitor of the destination. Further, Visuphone maybe coupled to an advertising database. The advertising database mayinclude advertisements related to the phone numbers of the destinations.The advertising database may be stored at device 102 c, thedestinations, service providers or other third party servers. Further,the advertisements may be provided based on a profile of caller. Forexample, assuming that the caller calls a bank holding his savingaccount. Therefore, the advertisement displayed to the caller may bebased on the location, address, account balance, type and volume oftransactions, loans, purchases and so forth.

Visuphone may be configured to connect to an intended destination, whencaller selects advertisement 408. Further, Visuphone displays visualmenu 406 of the intended destination. In an embodiment, Visuphone storesthe interactions of caller with visual menus. For example, Visuphone mayautomatically learn the numbers dialed or options selected from themenu. Moreover, the learned numbers or choices are associated with thedialed phone number of the destination. Therefore, the caller isassisted in his future calls. For example, when caller calls thedestination again, then the actions that were performed in the lastinteraction are presented prominently to caller; or a previous sequencemay be automatically performed. Further, the actions that are frequentlyperformed are presented prominently to caller. For example, if callerdials a bank frequently to enquire about his account balance, then theoptions for selecting his account balance may be highlighted.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary components of device 102 b for implementingVisuphone, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.Device 102 b includes a system bus 526 to connect the variouscomponents. Examples of system bus 526 include several types of busstructures such as, but not limited to, a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. As discussed with reference to FIG. 1 b, device 102 bcan be a computing device such as, but not limited to, a personalcomputer, a laptop, a mobile phone, a smart-phone, and so forth. Device102 b can connect to network 112 through a network interface 514.Further, device 102 b can connect to PSTN 110 through gateway 116 andnetwork 112 through network interface 514. Input/Output (IO) interface516 of device 102 b may be configured to connect external or peripheraldevices such as a mouse 518, a keyboard 520, a speaker 522, microphone523 and a camera 524. Although not shown, various other devices such ashard disk, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device or others can beconnected through IO interface 516 to device 102 b. A person skilled theart will appreciate that although not described, various other types ofdevices capable of voice and/or data communication can be connected todevice 102 b.

Device 102 b includes a display interface 502 to connect to a display512. Display interface 502 can be for example, a video adapter. Display512 outputs graphical information to caller. In an embodiment of theinvention, display 512 includes a touch sensitive screen. Therefore,caller 106 can provide inputs to device 102 b by touching display 512 orby pointing with the mouse and click. Memory 506 of device 102 b storesvarious programs, data and/or instructions that can be executed byCentral Processing Unit (CPU) 504. Examples of memory include, but arenot limited to, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM),a hard disk, and so forth. A person skilled in the art will appreciatethat other types of computer-readable media which can store data that isaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital video disks, and the like, may also be used by device 102b. Memory 506 may include Operating System (OS) (not shown) for device102 b to function. Further, memory 506 may include other applications510 that enable caller 106 to communication with destinations 108 a-n.Examples of other applications 510 include, but are not limited to,Skype, Google Talk, Magic Jack, and so forth. Other applications 510 maybe stored as software or firmware on device 102 b. Further, memory 506includes Visuphone 104 for searching and presenting a visual menucorresponding to the audible IVR menu of a destination as discussed withreference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Visuphone 104 may be an application storedas a software or firmware on device 102 b. The visual menus are storedin visual menu database 308 in memory 506 of device 102 b. Visuphone 104searches visual menu database 308 for visual menu corresponding a phonenumber of a destination dialed by caller. Subsequently, the visual menuis presented on display 512 for selection of options by caller. Further,Visuphone 104 may be implemented as plug-in to other applications 510.Therefore, when a phone number is dialed from other applications 510,Visuphone 104 detects the dialing and automatically searches anddisplays the visual menu corresponding to the dialed phone number.Thereafter, caller can interact with the visual menu, without listeningto the audible IVR menu of destinations.

With reference to FIG. 6, an exemplary display of a visual menu 604 ondevice 102 b is illustrated. Caller may dial a phone number 610 from aVOIP application 608 on device 102 b. Phone number 610 may correspond toany of destinations. In an embodiment, caller selects a pre-stored phonenumber from the application 608. Subsequently, visual menu 604corresponding to a dialed destination is displayed on display 512. In anembodiment, display 512 may comprises a touch sensitive screen.Therefore, caller can interact with device 102 b directly throughdisplay 512.

In an exemplary instance, if caller 106 dials a phone number ofdestination, then a visual menu corresponding to audible IVR menu ofdestination is displayed. Thereafter, caller can interact with thevisual menu to select options and to transmit inputs for the audible IVRmenu of the corresponding destination. Visual menu 604 could bedisplayed before actual connection of device 102 b to destinations.Therefore, caller 106 can select a desired option from visual menu 604before establishing a connection to the destination. Depending on thecomplexity or size of the destinations, visual menu 604 may have variousnodes. For example, an organization with 50 departments may have moremenu options or nodes than that of an organization with 10 departments.Further, the display area of display 512 may be limited. As a result,all the nodes of visual menu 604 may not be displayed together ondisplay 512. In such a case, Visuphone 104 is configured to allow caller106 to navigate by scrolling horizontally and/or vertically to viewnodes on visual menu 604. Moreover, caller 106 can search for a desiredoption from the visual menu.

Subsequently, after caller 106 selects a desired option from visual menu604, a connection is established between device 102 b and a destinationbased on the selected action. In one embodiment, Visuphone is configuredto detect and present applications suitable to caller for initiating theconnection. For example, Visuphone may detect more than one VOIPapplications present in device 102 b and present them to caller 106 ondisplay 512. Thereafter, caller can select an application to be used orinitiate the connection in a default configuration. The defaultconfiguration can be for example, VOIP application 608 on which phonenumber 610 was dialed. In another embodiment, caller 610 may select aphone number displayed in applications such as a browser, messenger, ora mail client. Subsequently, Visuphone detects and presents applicationssuitable to caller for initiating the connection. Furthermore, Visuphoneis configured to display visual menu 604 for the phone number selectedfrom the applications.

Visuphone is further configured to display an advertisement 606.Advertisement 606 may correspond to the type of services provided bydestinations. For example, if the destination is a bank, thenadvertisement 606 may include promotions or offers about new loans orschemes. Moreover, advertisement 606 may include promotions or offersfrom a third party or a competitor of destination. Visuphone may beconfigured to connect to intended destination, when caller selectsadvertisement 606. Further, Visuphone displays visual menu 606 of theintended destination. In an embodiment, Visuphone stores theinteractions of caller with visual menus after a call to an IVR wasmade. Therefore, when caller calls the same destination again, then theoptions that were selected in the last interaction are presentedprominently. Further, the options that are frequently selected can bepresented prominently. For example, if caller dials a bank frequently tocheck his account balance, then the options for selecting his accountbalance may be highlighted. Additionally the information such hisaccount number can be brought up to save effort for the user who canthan just OK for that ‘auto fill’ to be dialed out to the IVR at theproper time.

With reference to FIG. 7, device 102 b may include a web browser 702 todisplay web pages from the Internet and/or other computer networks.Various websites provide a phone number on the web pages as aclick-to-talk button. The clickable button can provide, for example, acontact number of executives of the organization. The clickable buttonmay be programmed to display a phone number of the organization and/ordisplay a caller a form to provide his contact details, so that anexecutive from the organization can call back the caller. Visuphone isconfigured to detect a connect 706 button on a webpage 704. Connect 706may be used by Visuphone to initiate a connection to a destination.

Visuphone detects and launches a VOIP application on device 102 b. In anembodiment, in case more than one application is available on device102, Visuphone selects a VOIP application preferred by caller. Moreover,Visuphone 104 may be configured to automatically login into the VOIPapplication. In an embodiment, caller 106 stores the login details forthe VOIP application in Visuphone. Further, Visuphone displays a visualmenu corresponding to audible IVR menu of the destination connected onceclick on the connect 706 tab. Therefore, caller can connect to thedestination from web browser 702 automatically and may not be requiredto dial the phone number or provide a call-back information.

In an embodiment of the invention, Visuphone 104 may include a VOIPplug-in that monitors the outgoing calls made from the VOIP application.Therefore, the VOIP plug-in may search each dialed number in visual menudatabase 308. In case, the dialed number is found in visual menudatabase 308 and is associated with an IVR, then the VOIP plug-in maydisplay the visual menu corresponding to the audible IVR menu of thedialed number.

Another embodiment of the invention allows the user to select the visualmenu using car display like GPS display. Hands-free cell phone system isused in many cars as a separated device or as an integrated system inthe car. These devices allow the user to talk with the cell phonewithout holding the cell phone in his hands. Some devices are using thecar speakers for the phone call. In many cases, the hands-free systemcan use a display screen in the car like GPS screen or other display.Following voice menu while driving might not be the optimal way to usehands-free cell phone system. In some cases, selecting an option from avisual menu is preferred. While driving or stopping in red light, itmight be easier to use larger display like the GPS display in the car.The display can present the visual menu and the user can select theoption from the menu. The computing engine to support the visual menucould be embedded in the car GPS system or in another controller thathave access to the car display. Once the system recognize a destinationof a call to be an IVR it will access the database pull out the menu anddisplay. Accordingly all the other Visuphone features could beincorporated.

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary software architecture 800 of Visuphone 104,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Hardware layer 802includes various hardware of device. For example, but not limited to, amouse, a keyboard, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, a USB device, adisplay and so forth. The drivers required for the hardware of deviceare provided by drivers layer 804. Moreover, drivers layer 802interfaces with Operating System 806.

Operating System 806 provides memory and environment required byVisuphone 104 and other applications 808 for functioning on device.Examples of Operating System 806 include, but are not limited to,Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Symbian, Andriod and so forth. Visuphone 104may be implemented as a plug-in to other applications 808, such asSkype, Google Talk, web browser, mail client, and so forth. In anembodiment, Visuphone 104 may be implemented as a standalone applicationon device. Further, Visuphone 104 may be configured to execute as abackground application. Therefore, caller may not be required tospecifically launch Visuphone 104. Furthermore, Visuphone 104 may beimplemented as a multi-threaded application. Therefore, visual menus ofmore than one destination may be displayed simultaneously on device.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary components of Visuphone 104, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. As discussed above, Visuphone 104may be implemented as hardware, software, or firmware on a device.Further, Visuphone 104 may be configured to execute as a backgroundprocess on device. In an embodiment, Visuphone 104 may be configured toexecute as a system service. Therefore, other processes or applicationsexecuting on the device may not block the operation of Visuphone 104.

When caller dials, selects or receives a phone number on the device, adetection module 902 of Visuphone 104 detects that a phone number hasbeen dialed, selected or received. For example, detection module 902 maydetect key presses or caller ID on device. Caller may use a VOIPapplication on device for dialing the phone number. Moreover, caller mayuse a mouse to a joystick to select or press icons of numbers displayedon the VOIP application. Further, detection module 902 is configured toidentify the VOIP applications available on device and used by caller.Moreover, detection module 902 may detect the position co-ordinates ofthe VOIP application on a display of device. For example, in case deviceincludes the Microsoft Windows OS, then the position co-ordinates of theVOIP application can be detected from the registry of the OS. Detectionmodule 902 may be configured to store the position of number iconsrelative to position co-ordinates of various VOIP applications.Therefore, based on the co-ordinates of the position of the VOIPapplication, detection module 902 can detect the exact position of eachnumber icon on the display of device. For example, if the co-ordinatesof a top-left edge of the VOIP application is (X,Y) on the display, andthe co-ordinates of an icon for number ‘1’ on VOIP application is(X1,Y1) relative to its top-left edge, then the exact co-ordinates ofthe icon for number ‘1’ may be calculated as (X+X1, Y+Y1) on thedisplay. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other types ofmathematical operations can be applied to calculate the co-ordinates ofthe icons on the display of the device.

Detection module 902 may be configured to detect the co-ordinates of thecursor on the display of device. Further, detection module may beconfigured to detect the action events generated by the mouse orjoystick, such as a click, a double-click, drag, select, scroll and soforth. Therefore, when caller selects or press a number on the VOIPapplication, detection module 902 may detect the number from theposition of the cursor, the VOIP application and the number icon. In anembodiment, detection module 902 may be configured to store the lastused co-ordinates of the VOIP application and number icons. Therefore,detection and/or calculation of the co-ordinates may not be required.Furthermore, detection module 902 may be configured to detect a connectbutton displayed on a web page of a browser on device as explained withreference to FIG. 7. Therefore, when caller clicks the connect button,detection module 902 identifies the phone number behind the connectbutton. In an embodiment, detection module 902 detects the connectbutton and the associated phone number by scanning the source code ofthe web page.

The phone number detected by detection module 902 is used by a searchmodule 904 of Visuphone. In an embodiment, detection module 902 may beconfigured to transfer each digit to search module 904 in real-time asclicked by caller. Search module 904 searches visual menu database forvisual menu corresponding to the phone number. An exemplary visual menuis as explained above in conjunction with FIGS. 2B and 2C. As discussedabove, visual menu database stores visual menus corresponding to theaudible IVR menus of destinations. Moreover, visual menu database maystore other information, which is explained in conjunction with FIG. 10.Search module 904 may also be configured to search for other informationin visual menu database. In an embodiment, search module searches visualmenu database in real-time based on the digits received from detectionmodule 902. Therefore, a visual menu may be identified based on the bestmatch of the number formed by the received digits in visual menudatabase. As a result, caller may not be required to dial, click, pressor select the complete number, which may be convenient and time saving.

The visual menu identified by a search module 904 is displayed on thedisplay of device by display module 906 of Visuphone 104. Display module906 identifies the position on the display where the visual menu is tobe displayed. In an embodiment, the visual menu is displayed such thatthere is minimum overlap with the VOIP application from which the phonenumber was dialed or selected. Moreover, display module 906 identifiesthe size of the visual menu for display based on the characteristics ofthe display screen of device. Examples of characteristics of the displayscreen include, but are not limited to, a screen size, resolution, andso forth. Furthermore, in case the visual menu is not completelydisplayed on the display, then display module 906 may allow caller tonavigate the visual menu by scrolling. Moreover, display module 906 maybe configured to display other information received from search module904.

Caller may interact with the visual menu or other information displayedon device. For example, caller may scroll through the visual menu, orselect a node from the visual menu. Therefore, when caller selects anode from the visual menu, detection module 902 detects the selectednode and communicates the selection to a connection module 908.Thereafter, connection module 908 may establish a connection betweendevice and a destination based on the nodes selected by caller.Connection module 908 may be configured to detect communication systemsavailable in device. For example, in a case, device is a phone notconnected to the Internet, connection module 908 may detect that only aradio connection can be made. Otherwise, a most suitable or a connectionpreferred by caller can be made. In an embodiment, connection module 908may allow caller 106 to select a VOIP application to establish theconnection. In another embodiment, communication module 908 may launch adefault VOIP application on the device 102. In yet another embodiment ofthe invention, connection module 908 can use a VOIP protocol stackdefined by Visuphone to establish the connection.

Sometimes, a call of caller may be transferred from one point in theorganization to another point within the same organization or to acompletely different organization. For example, the call of caller withdestination 108 a may be transferred to destination 108 b. However,destinations 108 a and 108 b may have different audible IVR menus.Connection module 908 is configured identify the transfer of call and toswitch the visual menu of destination 108 a with destination 108 b. Theswitching of visual menus is explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 11.

Some organizations such as banks may require caller to present a voiceinput for the purpose of authentication. For example, caller may berequired to voice out his name or an answer to a security questionspecified by caller to the bank. Furthermore, voice input may berequired to accept or decline a transaction. Caller may record and storethe voice responses for such authentications or questions alternativelythe system can use synthesis voice. Therefore, when connection module908 detects that a voice authentication is required, and then voicemodule 910 is used. Voice module 910 provides voice inputs on behalf ofcaller by using the responses recorded by caller. Subsequently, theconnection or the transaction can be processed.

As discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 6, Visuphone 104 may beconfigured to display advertisements on device 102. The advertisementsare managed by advertisement module 912 of Visuphone 104. Theadvertisement may be selected based on the type of destinations. Forexample, when a dialed destination is a bank, then an advertisementrelated to banking may be displayed. Moreover, the advertisement can berelated a third-party dealing in the same business or professional areaor a competitor of the dialed destination. The displayed advertisementmay be a text, audio, image or video. In one embodiment, advertisementmodule 912 may display the advertisements based on the connectionbandwidth available at device 102. In another embodiment, advertisementmodule 912 may display the advertisements based on the pre-setpreferences by caller. In one embodiment, advertisement module 912 maybe configured to receive the advertisements directly from the dialeddestination. In another embodiment, advertisement module 912 may beconfigured to receive the advertisements from a remote server on anetwork. The remote server is explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 10. A selection or click by caller on advertisements may bedetected by detection module 902 to display a visual menu of thedestination for which the advertisement was displayed.

In some cases, the audible IVR menu of destination may change. Forexample, the extension numbers of agents in banks may be changed due toaddition of new agents. A person skilled in the art will appreciate thatthere can be other reasons for the audible IVR menu of a destination tobe edited, amended or updated. Further, new organizations may beavailable that use audible IVR menus. The visual menus for these neworganizations may not be available in visual menu database stored ondevice. Therefore, visual menu database may be required to be updated.In an embodiment, Visuphone may be updated to provide additionalfunctionalities to caller. Update module 914 may be configured to updatethe visual menus stored in visual menu database of device. Moreover,update module 914 may be configured to update Visuphone. Update module914 may receive the updated visual menus from the remote server on thenetwork. The remote server is explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 10.

Visuphone may record the caller's selections or keystrokes for audibleIVR menus by using customization module 916. The keystrokes may be somepersonal data of the caller such as his account number, customer number,and so forth. Visuphone can provide better support to caller bypresenting the recorded keystrokes so that the caller can approve andsending them without entering them every time. Customization module 916personalizes the generic visual menu by associating the keystrokes withit and storing in visual menu database 308. Alternatively, an additionalset of standard may be defined for representing caller data. In thiscase, only the code indicating the type of required data is added tovisual menu database 308. Visuphone can than build a relatively smalltable in visual menu database 308, with the various personal data codesand the actual caller data as analyzed from the caller's keystrokesduring his connection with destinations of the audible IVR menus.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary remote server 1002 connected to aremote repository 1004. As shown remote server 2002 is connected todevice 102 through a computer network 1006. Further, remote server 1002can be connected to destinations 108 a-n through network 1006, a gateway1008, and a PSTN 1010. A person skilled in the art will appreciate thatdevice 102 can connect to destinations 108 a-n directly through PSTN1010, therefore the connection is not limited to network 1006. Each ofdestinations 108 a-n may be connected to audible IVR menu repository1012 a-n, here after referred to as destination repository 1012 a-n.

Further, device 102 includes visual menu database 308. As discussedabove, visual menu database 308 includes visual menus corresponding toaudible IVR menus of destinations 108 a-n. Moreover, visual menudatabase 308 may store other information such as profile of caller,voice response of caller, login details for a VOIP application,preferences of caller, ratings for visual menus, identity of visualmenus and so forth. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9, Visuphone,the visual menus or other information stored in visual menu database 308may require to be updated. In an embodiment, visual menu database 308 isupdated by information received from remote repository 1004. In anotherembodiment of the invention, visual menu database 308 may be updated byreceiving menus through Short Messaging Service (SMS). The SMS may besent from destination 108 a-n or remote repository 1004 to device 102.Remote repository 1004 includes visual menus corresponding to audibleIVR menus of destinations 108 a-n. Further, remote repository 1004stores advertisements related to destinations 108 a-n, last updated timeof the visual menus, rating of visual menus, and so forth.

In case, the audible IVR menu of a destination is changed, caller maynot be able to connect to the destination by using Visuphone. Visuphoneis configured to detect the error generated while establishing theconnection. For example, caller may select a node in the visual menuthat may not have a corresponding option available in audible IVR menu,or a connection not be established between device 102 and thedestination. The error is detected by update module 914 of Visuphone.Subsequently, update module 914 sends an error report to remote server1002. Remote server 1002 may check remote repository 1004 for updatesrelated to the visual menu. Thereafter, in case any updates areavailable, remote server 1002 may send the updates to device 102 forperforming the update. In an embodiment, visual menu database 308 may bechecked and updated based on a pre-defined time interval by the device102. In an embodiment, the error report may include the error generatedand an Identity (ID) or version of the visual menu on which the errorwas generated. In case, the updates are not available in remoterepository 1004, then an update of remote repository 1004 may berequired. In an embodiment of the invention, remote repository 1004 isupdated based on a pre-defined time interval. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the caller can rate the relevance or correctness of thevisual menu from device 102. Therefore, remote repository 1004 can beupdated based on a cumulative ratings received from callers and otherusers of the visual menu. The remote server 1002 can comprise a processof continuously scanning the IVRs 108 a to 108 n updating the remoterepository 1004 with changes of various IVR menus and adding additionmenu records for new IVRs. Also the remote server 1002 might get a‘problem report’ from device 102 if caller identify problem between themenu as it is in the database 308 and the audible menu of a specificIVR. In such case a recheck process will be initiated to update theremote repository 1004 and the new information can be than offered todevice 102 for download an update.

In an embodiment of the invention, visual menu database 308 may includeother information and parameters related to the visual menus. Theparameters related to the visual menus enable accessing, modifying orupdating of the visual menus. Examples of parameters of visual menusinclude, but are not limited to, ID or version of the visual menus,destination phone numbers, and a last update timestamp. Furthermore,visual menu database 308 may include other information such as aprofile, the calling history, or preferences of the caller. The callinghistory of a caller may include the numbers dialed or received, mostfrequent numbers dialed or received, most frequent nodes selected fromvisual menus. The profile of a caller may include, but is not limitedto, the name, age, sex, address, phone number, profession, officeaddress, recorded voice responses for visual menus, or other personaland professional details of the caller.

With reference to FIG. 11, the exemplary process for presentation of thevisual menu is illustrated when the call of a caller is forwarded ortransferred from destination 108 a to destination 108 b. Destination 108a may have completely different audible IVR menus as compared todestination 108 b. For example, destination 108 a may be a loandepartment and destination 108 b may be an insurance department of abank. Similarly, the call may be forwarded from one organization toanother. Therefore, caller may be required to respond to a differentaudible IVR menu. Visuphone 104 may be configured to detect that thecall has been forwarded and subsequently display the visual menu ofdestination 108 b.

As shown in FIG. 11, device 102 establishes a connection withdestination 108 a as depicted by arrow 1102. The connection isestablished by using the visual menu provided by Visuphone 104 based ondestination 108 a. In an embodiment, the connection is establisheddirectly without using Visuphone 104. Thereafter, destination 108 a mayforward the call to destination 108 b, as indicated by arrow 1104. Thevisual menu corresponding to the audible IVR menu of destination 108 bmay not be visible on device 102, as the call was forwarded betweendestination 108 a and destination 108 b. In an embodiment, Visuphone 104may not detect the forwarding of the call. In this case, device 102 maybe presented with audible IVR menu of destination 108 b. Thereafter,Visuphone 104 may record the options and responses on device 104 for theaudible IVR menu of destination 108 b. The recorded options andresponses may be stored at remote repository 1004 for updating it.Further, the recorded options and responses may be stored visual menudatabase of device 102.

In an embodiment, destination 108 b sends an identity (ID) or version ofthe audible IVR menu to a caller as shown by arrow 1106. The audible IVRmenu ID is specific to the audible IVR menu of destination 108 b.Subsequently, display module 906 of Visuphone 104 uses the audible IVRmenu ID to display the corresponding visual menu. Further, a caller mayselect a node from the visual menu corresponding to destination 108 b.Therefore, when a caller selects a node, a connection may be establishedwith destination 108 b. In an embodiment of the invention, connectionbetween device 102 and destination 108 a is disconnected afterestablishing a connection between device 102 and destination 108 b. Inanother embodiment of the invention, connection between device 102 anddestination 108 a is maintained for complete communication session tillthe caller disconnects the call.

Another embodiment of the invention allow visual menu for calls madefrom a conventional home telephone. FIG. 12 illustrate a phone 1204connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1208 and througha gateway 1218 to the Internet network 1220. Network 1220 may be anyservice provider that provides services, for example, but not limitedto, telephone services, cell phone services, wireless services, Internetservices, cable television services, or various combinations of theabove or other type of services.

Further, the connection to network 1220 is associated with a wide bandInternet ‘smart’ modem 1206. Phone 1204 may be a regular phone, such asa landline phone or a cordless landline phone. Modem 1206 may be aDigital Subscriber Link (DSL) modem or a cable modem that connects thehome device to the Internet and/or computer network. Modem 1206 isconnected to a service provider, and can provide the home devices withtelephone, Internet and television services. Modem 1206 may provide bothwired and wireless connections. As shown with reference to FIG. 12,modem 1206 provides the home with the Internet through wire 1210 to acomputer 1202, or through a Wi-Fi connection. Modem 1206 comprises theability to detect and recognize the dialing made by phone 1204. Thenumbers dialed by phone 1204 to establish connection are then comparedwith a database, such as visual menu database 308. Therefore, in casethe dialed number corresponds to a destination with an audible IVR menu,and a corresponding visual menu exists then, modem 1206 may provide thevisual menu on computer 1202 connected to it. Moreover, modem 1206 mayuse private web sites to present the visual menu or just provide thedialed number to computer 1202. Thereafter, a software tool on computer1202 may present the visual menu on the screen of computer 1202.

Once the connection with the destination has been established, ‘smart’modem 1206 will continue to monitor the numbers dialed or received byphone 1204 to browse or advance the visual menu accordingly.Furthermore, the numbers dialed or received may be stored for futureprocessing such as highlighting previous selections in the visual menu,providing customized visual menu and so forth. The Visual menu systemcomprising computer 1202 and Modem 1206 may incorporate additionalenhancements as presented before such as automatic dialing of customerinformation. The automatic dialing may be achieved by using computer1202 to initiate and execute such automatic dialing.

In another embodiment of the invention, a house television 1212 may beused to present the visual menu. In various houses modem 1206 decodestelevision signals and transfer it to a set-top box 1216 that providesignals to television 1212. The visual menu may be presented on achannel dedicated for IVR. Therefore, when phone 1204 is used toinitiate a call, modem 1206 can detect it and present the visual menucorresponding to the dialed number on the designated channel of thetelevision 1212. Further, all the options described before can beprovided now using the screen of television 1212 for the visual menu.The caller selection can be done by using the simple home phone oralternatively using the TV 1212 set top box 1216 remote control.Further, television 1212 screen may be used to present the visual menuin a few alternatives ways. For example, a device provided by a companynamed Rokulnc., allows streaming of content from the Internet totelevision. Most set-top boxes now have an Internet connection ortelephone connections. Furthermore, various devices such as some DigitalVersatile Disc (DVD) players, and video game players or controllers suchas Xbox or Playstation, can be connected to the Internet. Each of thosedevices may allow ‘smart’ modem 1206 to provide a visual menu on thescreens of television 1212.

In another embodiment of the invention a telephone connection may beestablished through an external telephone service by using a computer,as discussed with reference to FIG. 13. External telephone serviceprovider 1310, such as ‘Google Voice’, which a user may use through theInternet network from computer 1302. In such case, the user can cause atelephone call to be established by indicating on service provider1310-‘Google Voice’ web site a request to establish call to a designatedlocation. Thereafter, the external service provider 1310 establishesconnection 1306 by using PSTN 1308 to connect the user telephone 1304 toa desired destination 1312. External service provider 1310 can nowpresent the visual menu as discussed above. External service provider1310 may present the visual menu on its web site and processed oradvanced based on the dial choices made by the user on his computer1302. Furthermore, external service provider 1310 can also add variousoptions as described before, such as but not limited to highlightingprevious choices, automatic dialing of user information and presentingrelated advertisements.

Another enhancement for such external service provider 1310 is toprovide a ‘smart’ connect. In case of the ‘smart’ connect, the user candesignate not just destination 1312, but a specific node of visual menu,such as node 212 b as discussed with reference to FIG. 2B. The ‘smart’connect will dial the proper selection in the visual menu and connect tonode 212 b of the audible IVR. The ‘smart’ connect can even wait untilthe selected node ‘Talk to Executive’ yields the desired result of theexecutive answering the line and then connect the user. Therefore, theefficiency of the IVR system does not come at the cost of inefficiencyof the user, rather both sides can became more efficient by using the‘smart’ connect.

Additional alternatives to the invention are illustrated with referenceto FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C. FIG. 14A illustrates a Visu-Add-on 1404which can be connected to a standard home phone 1402 to provide all thefeatures and functionalities as described above with respect to theVisuphone 104. Accordingly, phone 1402 may be connected throughconnection 1406 to add-on 1404 that can be connected to a standardtelephone connection line 1410. Add-on 1404 may comprise a processingunit, a display and a database. The database may be similar to visualmenu database 308 as discussed in FIG. 3. Therefore, when phone 1402 isused to call a destination with an audible IVR menu, a correspondingvisual menu is presented on the display of add-on 1404. Furthermore, thedisplay of add-on 1404 may comprise a touch sensitive screen for addedconvenience of a user. Add-on 1404 may be loaded and updated by the useof removable memory devices, such as USB flash memory 1408.Alternatively, Add-on 1404 may comprise a modem to connect either by theuse of the telephone connection line 1410 or by wireless means such asWiFi or Bluetooth.

FIG. 14B illustrates an embodiment, where an add-on unit 1414 is pluggedinto a conventional digital picture frame 1420 by using a USB port.Digital picture frames recently became quite popular as a convenient wayto display family photos in digital format. In this embodiment, pictureframe 1420 can display family photo until a call is made by using aphone 1412 to a destination with an audible IVR menu. Phone 1412 may beconnected to picture frame 1420 through a connection 1418 and add-on1414 may be further connected to standard telephone line connection1422. Add-on 1414 may comprise a processor and a database. The databasemay be similar to visual menu database 308 as discussed in FIG. 3.Therefore, when a connection is made to a destination having an audibleIVR menu, then add-on 1414 will present the visual menu on picture frame1420. Picture frame 1420 may resume presenting the photos after thecompletion of the call. Furthermore, the database of add-on 1414 couldbe updated with one of the options described before in respect to theadd-on 1404 of FIG. 14A. It should be noted that various home televisionprovides functionality similar to picture frame 1420. Therefore,television can be used as an alternative to picture frame 1420.

FIG. 14C present another embodiment that can be applied as presentedwith respect to FIGS. 14A and 14B. It quite common these days to use atelephone handset 1424 that are connected by wireless means to a basestation 1430 that is connected by a wire 1432 to the standard telephonelines. Add-on 1426 can comprise an internal radio circuit to detect thewireless communication. Therefore, add-on 1426 can detect thecommunication between handset 1424 and base station 1430 to present thevisual menu. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 14C, connectionthrough wires such as wires 1406 or 1418 may not be required. Add-on1426 may be provided by the manufacturer of the handset 1424 and thebase station 1430, or by a third party. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that the functionalities of the add-on units as described inconjunction with FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C can be combined into a singleunit. Therefore, a single add-on unit may be used in variousenvironments as discussed above.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate a flowchart diagram for presentationof the visual menus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Caller 106 may dial, select or receive a number to connect to adestination from device 102. The destination may include an audible IVRmenu for interaction with a caller. Further, device 102 may includeVisuphone 104 to present a visual menu corresponding to the phone numberof the destination. Therefore, a caller can directly interact with anIVR of destination through the visual menu without listening to theaudible IVR menu.

At step 1502, Visuphone such as of device 102 detects a phone numberdialed, selected or received by caller for destination. In an embodimentof the invention, the number is clicked according to the display ofdevice 102. The number is detected by detection module 902 of Visuphone104. Thereafter, search module 904 searches visual menu database 308 ofdevice 102 for the phone number, at step 1504. Search module 904searches for visual menu and other information corresponding to thephone number. Other information may include, for example, the callerprofile, call history of the caller, advertisement associated with thephone number and so forth. In an embodiment of the invention, searchmodule 904 searches visual menu database 308 in real-time. Therefore,the visual menu and other information may be searched with only a fewdigits of the phone number.

At step 1506, it is determined by search module 904 whether the visualmenu and other information are available for the phone number in visualmenu database 308. In case, the visual menu is available, then theprocess continues to step 1508. In case, the visual menu is notavailable, then device 102 may be connected to remote repository 1004 byupdate module 914, at step 1518 as shown with reference to FIG. 15B.Thereafter, it is checked whether the visual menu is available in remoterepository 1004, at step 1520. Subsequently, if the visual menu isavailable, then visual menu database 308 is updated from the informationavailable at remote repository 1004, at step 1522. The process thencontinues to step 1524.

Further, at step 1506, once it been determined by the search module 904that the visual menu for the destination is available in the visual menudatabase 308, an asynchrony request is sent to remote repository 1004,at step 1558. The request is sent to check whether a newer version ofthe menu with different content is available, at step 1560.Subsequently, if such version exists in remote repository 1004, thenvisual menu database 308 is updated accordingly, at step 1522. Theprocess is then continues to step 1524.

In case, the visual menu is not available in remote repository 1004,then the process continues to step 1528. At step 1528, audible IVR menuselection in detected on device 102. The audible IVR menu selection maybe determined based on Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) tones or keyspressed by the user of device 102. Thereafter, in case a selection isdetected, then the dialed number may be detected as a possibledestination number. The dialed number may be provided to remoterepository 1004 at step 1530. Thereafter, the process continues to step1526, where remote repository 1004 is updated for information.

At step 1524, it is determined by search module 904 if visual menu isavailable for the dialed number in updated visual menu database 308. Inan embodiment, Visuphone detects the correctness of information based onthe error received on connection to the IVR destination or behavior ofthe caller. In case, visual menu is available, then the processcontinues to step 1508. Otherwise, in case the visual menu is notavailable, then the process continues to step 1526, where remoterepository 1004 is updated for information. In an embodiment, Visuphone104 sends an error report to remote repository 1004 to initiate theupdate. The error report may include the error details of connection,behavior of the caller and other information required to update remoterepository 1004. In another embodiment, the caller may provide ratingsfor the correctness of the visual menu and other information.Subsequently, the ratings are sent to remote repository 1004. In anembodiment of the invention, ratings from multiple devices are receivedat remote repository 1004. Thereafter, remote repository 1004 may beupdated based on the ratings. In an embodiment of the invention, remoterepository 1004 may be updated based on a pre-defined time interval. Inanother embodiment of the invention, remote repository 1004 is updatedby an administrator of remote server 1102.

At step 1508, if the visual menu is available in the visual menudatabase, then the visual menu corresponding to the audible IVR menu ofdestination is displayed on device 102. In an embodiment of theinvention, advertisements related to the type of destination are alsodisplayed on device 102. At step 1510, inputs from the caller aredetected on the visual menu. In an embodiment, the inputs include thenodes of the visual menu selected by the caller. In another embodiment,the inputs include the advertisement selected by the caller.Subsequently, device 102 is connected to destination based on the inputsprovided by the caller, at step 1512. At step 1514, it is determined ifthe visual menu displayed on device 102 is correct. In case, the visualmenu is not correct, then the process continues to step 1518.Thereafter, the process steps as discussed above are followed. However,in case the visual menu is correct, then the connection between device102 and destination is maintained, at step 1516. Moreover, furtherinputs from the caller are received, to continue the communication tillthe caller or destination disconnects the connection.

The information stored in remote repository 1004 may be gathered fromvarious destinations. For example, various destinations may be called todetect audio IVR menus and accordingly generate the information forremote repository 1004. With reference to FIG. 16 exemplary componentsof a device 1602 for implementing a database construction system 1606are illustrated. Device 1602 can be a computing device such as, but notlimited to, a server, a personal computer, a laptop, a mobile phone, asmart-phone, and so forth. Device 1602 can connect to network 1614through a network interface 1612. Further, device 1602 can connect to aPSTN 1618 through gateway 1616 and network 1614 through networkinterface 1612. Examples of network 1614 include, but are not limited toa LAN, WAN, the Internet and so forth. Although not shown, device 1602can connect to various external devices such as hard disks, mouse,keyboard, speaker, microphone, displays, Universal Serial Bus (USB)devices and so forth. Further, device 1602 can connect to variousdestinations 1620 a-n through PSTN 1618. Destinations 1620 a-n mayprovide audio IVR menu services. In an embodiment of the invention,device 1602 can connect to various devices that include Visuphone forproviding updates to visual menu database 308.

Device 1602 may include a memory 1604 that stores various programs, dataand/or instructions that can be executed by a processor 1610. Examplesof memory include, but are not limited to, a Random Access Memory (RAM),a Read Only Memory (ROM), a hard disk, a computer-readable medium and soforth. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other types ofcomputer-readable media which can store data that is accessible by acomputer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, and the like, may also be used by device 1602. Memory 1604 mayinclude Database Construction System (DCS) 1606 for gathering audibleIVR menu information, which could be called the IVR customizationrecord, from the destinations and store it in a records database 1608.In an embodiment of the invention DCS 1606 may be an application storedas software or firmware on device 1602.

DCS 1606 may include various modules or instructions that may beexecuted by processor 1610 for generating information in recordsdatabase 1608, as explained in detail with reference to FIG. 17. Asdiscussed above, DCS 1606 may be implemented as software, or firmware ona device. DCS 1606 may be implemented as a standalone module or asseveral independent instances performing similar jobs without couplingto the IVR destinations. Further, the non-coupling may be managed by acentralize module that may allocate different IVR destinations to eachimplementation instance of DCS 1606. In an embodiment of the invention,DCS 1606 and record database 1608 may be implemented on differentdevices.

Records database 1608, may include multiple records. Further each recordmay include an IVR identity code, multiple internal destinations and anactivation code for each said internal destination. The IVR identitycode may be for example, the phone number of the destinations. Theactivation code may be for example, a telephone key that should bedialed such as a dial tone associated with the phone number. Theinternal destination is usually an extension to which the call will beforward once the caller makes a choice, according to the provided menu,and apply the activation code that is usually a dial tone transmitted tothe IVR from the Visuphone once the caller dials or selects a propernumber or option. Each internal destination may further include anotherinternal destination or extension that may be referred to as asub-internal destination. Moreover, each sub-internal destination may beassociated with a sub-record. Furthermore, the internal destinations maybe associated with an icon code. As discussed above, the icons provide aconvenient display for the user of a visual menu. In some audible IVRmenus the activation code may be a voice command that could be activatedby the caller by voicing his selection, or the Visuphone may transmit apre-recorded voice command or a synthesized voice command when thecaller makes a selection from the option menu of the visual menuprovided by the Visuphone. Further, records database 1608 may include arecord of the metadata or keywords associated with the various optionsin the menus. The metadata and/or keywords may be used by the Visuphoneto enable the caller to search for a desired menu by providing keywords.In an embodiment of the invention records database 1608 is remoterepository 1004.

FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary components of DCS 1606, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. DCS 1606 may include a DatabaseConstruction Agent (DCA) 1720 for generating information in recordsdatabase 1608, as explained in detail with reference to FIG. 17B andFIG. 17C. Some destinations may provide downloadable records orinformation for the callers. Download module 1710 of DCS 1606, downloadsthe information or records provided by the destinations. For example,download module 1710 may download recorded voice phrases, audio data ofthe audible IVR menu, activation codes, complete audible IVR menu filein a variety of formats and so forth. In an embodiment of the invention,DCS 1606 may connect to various devices that include Visuphone.Therefore, DCS 1606 may receive information from Visuphone, such aspersonal records, customized records of the callers, and frequently usednumbers, keys and so forth. In an embodiment of the invention, downloadmodule 1710 may obtain permissions before downloading the information.The permission may be obtained from the user, the destination or both.For example, download module 1710 may display a notification on screenon the device to the user or administrator to permit or reject adownload. Moreover, download module 1710 may send an authorizedcommunication such as, but not limited to, a private key to thedestination to authorize and obtain permission for download.Personalization module 1708 may generate personalized records for thecallers by associating the personal information of the caller with theinformation, such as the telephone numbers stored in records database1608. The records can then be forwarded to the user's device by downloadmodule 1710. Personalization module 1708 may be implemented asinstructions executable by a processor. For example, the processor canbe processor 1610 or a second processor dedicated for personalizationmodule 1708. Moreover, the second processor may be CPU 304, CPU 504 orimplemented in another device in communication with DCS 1606.

DCA 1720 may include a Target List Module (TLM) 1722 that assigns theIVR destination or a target list to each instance of DCA 1720 forconnecting and gathering information. The target list may include theIVR identity code, which can be as phone number or any type ofinformation on how to connect to the IVR directly or indirectly.Further, the target list may include additional details such as internaldestination. In an embodiment of the invention, the additionalinformation of the internal destination may be implemented as one ormore activation codes associate with the IVR identity code.

DCA 1720 may include an IVR Tracking Module (ITM) 1724 that tracks IVRcontent from a root location associated with the Target informationassigned by TLM 1722. ITM 1724 constructs the full IVR content from agiven IVR root.

ITM 1724 may include IVR Logic Module (ILM) 1726. ILM 1726 may detectthe type of IVR of the destination. Typically, various types of audibleIVR menus are implemented by destinations. The audible IVR menus may becategorized into various types, such as a simple IVR, IVR with audioresponse, IVR with additional data authentication and so forth. ILM 1726detects the type of audible IVR menu, and accordingly the information isgenerated for records database 1608. Various categories of the audibleIVR menu are explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 19. ITM 1724may call the destinations to determine the category the audible IVRmenu. Thereafter, ILM 1726 constructs the database based on the categoryof the IVR. In an embodiment of the invention, ITM 1724 may call thedestinations multiple times to determine the category of the invention.Various audible IVR menus may include a legal notice. For example, theaudible IVR menu of a mortgage bank usually include an header statingthat this is debt collector and anything stated during the call could beused for future collections. Other statements can be such as those thatrelate to the option to record the call and so forth. ILM 1726 maydetect the legal statements and store them in records database 1608 inassociation with IVR identity code.

ILM 1726 as part of its internal algorithm will drive the interactionsessions with the IVR. ILM 1726 may include data structure optimizedwith the tracked IVR menus to decide a right path or a next choice atany existing stage of the IVR tracking. The decisions made by ILM 1726may be optimized as a mathematically directed graph tracking process.The tracking process may use an option from the audible IVR menu thatcorresponds to a “return to a previous menu” option of the audible IVRmenu. As a result, the number of sessions required for tracking theaudible IVR menu is reduced.

The process of IVR tracking may require multiple communications with theaudible IVR menu to completely determine the content. Further, duringthe tracking process the content of the audible IVR menu may bediscovered partially. Therefore, ITM 1724 may include a Tree StorageModule (TSM) 1728 to manage a temporary database record. Thereafter,when the process or a phase is complete, TSM 1728 may use RepositoryConnection Module (RCM) 1738 to submit the content as a batch of recordsto records database 1608. In case, a connection to records database 1608is not available, then TSM 1728 may accumulate the information until aconnection can be established.

Dialog Module 1730 of ITM 1724 interacts with the audible IVR menu.Further, dialog module 1730 manages the IVR requests and sends responsesaccording to the decisions of ILM 1726. Further, dialog module 1730 mayuse a Speech Recognition Module (SRM) 1732 to interpret the audio of theIVR request to generate multiple records for records database 1608. Inan embodiment of the invention, the audio is interpreted to generatetext information. Moreover, SRM 1732 can provide a score to the textgenerated for each audio, according to the amount of guessing that isrequired for translating the IVR audio request. SRM 1732 may use asingle grammar or a combination of dedicated grammars, for example, butlimited to, a specific IVR service topic, IVR service sub topic, IVRstage, IVR location, the specific IVR, the hour of the day, and soforth. Furthermore, SRM 1732 may use multiple preset terms stored in thememory. Examples, of preset terms include, but not limited to, “yes”,“no”, name of the caller, and so forth. The text generated by SRM 1732from speech recognition may be parsed by dialog module 1730 to enableILM 1726 to select a next path or option.

Dialog module 1730 may be required to respond to the IVR requests duringa tracking session. Dialog module 1730 may use a response module 1734 togenerate the required response. Various audible IVR menus require avoice response from the caller. For example, the voice response may berequired for the authentication of the caller. Response module 1734 mayprovide a recorded voice response to the audible IVR menu. For example,the voice response may be recorded voice phrase or preset of terms suchas, but not limited to, “yes”, “no”, name of the caller, and so forth.Further, the voice response may be a synthesized voice response,generated by response module 1734. Therefore, response module 1734 mayinclude a voice synthesizer. In this case, the activation code may bethe recorded voice phrase and/or the synthesized voice phrase. Moreover,response module 1734 may include a voice decoder to recognize the voice.For example, the voice prompts generated by an audible IVR menu. In someother cases, the IVR menus may require a simple key tone (DTMF). Theresponse module 1734 may include recorded tones or an internal module togenerate the require tones.

Various destinations may provide a different audible IVR menu in theworking hours and a different menu after working hours or during theholidays. DCA 1720 may detect the various times or time periods forwhich the audible IVR menus are presented in different mode. SRM 1732may decode the voice from the audible IVR menu to recognize the IVRmessage. Further, ILM 1726 may analyze the response message for theperiods and different operating mode. Therefore, ILM 1726 may call thedestinations based on the recognized periods to generate recordsdatabase 1608. Further, records database 1608 may include the timeinformation for which a particular audible IVR menu is active.Accordingly, ITM 1724 may call the destinations multiple times based onthe time information.

Various audible IVR menus include multi-level menus, as discussed withreference to FIG. 2A. Therefore, each level of menu may includesub-menus, which may further include sub-menus, and so forth.Accordingly, records database 1608 may include multiple sub-records, andeach of the sub-records may have activation codes associated with them.Furthermore, records in records database 1608 may include a code toindicate a business domain of the destinations, such as airlines, banksand so forth. In an embodiment of the invention, TLM 1722 may use aweb-based list such as yellow pages to call the destinations. Generally,the phone numbers of the destinations in the yellow pages are organizedbased on the business domains of the destinations. Accordingly thebusiness domain code could be added to record database 1608. As graphicsand icons are very effective in enhancing user interface, ITM 1724 mayassociate various phrases with specific icons. For example, ITM 1724 mayinclude a dictionary of various terms or phrases that are frequentlyused in IVR menus, such as “customer care”, “main menu”, and so forth.The terms may be decoded by dialog module 1730 and icons may beassociated with them. Accordingly, records database 1608 may include acode for icons associated with the IVR menus of the destinations.

ITM 1724 may include components to connect to the audible IVR menu. Asshown with reference to FIG. 17B, ITM 1724 may include a VOIP connectionmodule 1736 to interact with a VOIP application 1740. VOIP application1740 may be implemented within or outside DCA 1720. In such a case, VOIPconnection module 1736 may use VOIP application 1740 to interact withthe audible IVR menus.

Further, as shown with reference to FIG. 17C, ITM may include an IVRconnection module 1737, to interact directly with the audible IVR menu.IVR connection module 1737 may connect to multiple audible IVR menusthrough a network, a PSTN or any other communication or protocol.Moreover, IVR connection module 1737 may act as a gateway between DCA1720 and the destination of audible IVR menu.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart diagram for generating records database1608 by using DCS 1606, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The audible IVR menus of destinations may be analyzed togenerate records database 1608 for corresponding visual menus. At step1802, a phone number may be dialed to connect to an audible IVR menu ofdestination. The phone numbers and destinations may be selectedautomatically from a database of phone numbers. For example, yellowpages for a selected territory, category, business or other suitableclassifications. As discussed with reference to FIG. 2A, the audible IVRmenu may include various options for a user to select. Typically, theoptions are structured and presented in form of levels to the user. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 2A, options 204 a, 206 a, and 220 a mayform a first level of the audible IVR menu 222 a. Further, options 208 aand 210 a may be referred to as sub-menus to option 204 a. Similarly,each sub-menu may further comprise sub-menus, such as options 214 a and216 a. Therefore, DCS 1606 is presented with audible instructions atfirst level. Thereafter, based on the selection by DCS 1606,corresponding audible instructions of sub-menus may be provided. Thefirst level of the audible IVR menu is analyzed at step 1804. Theaudible IVR menu may be analyzed by voice recognition.

In an embodiment of the invention, the voice recognition forconstructing records database 1608 is based on context-enhanced voicerecognition. As the process of calling the destination is initiated byselecting a number from a list such as yellow pages, the voicerecognition system would be provided file of potential menu terms, whichcould be farther narrowed base on knowledge of the business domain andthe potential options such destinations may offer. Therefore, theprocess of voice recognition is greatly enhanced, when the recognitionis done with respect to a relatively small number of choices. SRM 1732in DCA 1720 may be pre-loaded with a small set of terms most likely usedby the destination and, therefore, may be required to make therecognition out of the relatively small set of terms.

Further, the voice may be converted to a text format. In an embodimentof the invention, a voice-to-text application may be used to convert theaudible instructions to text format. Subsequently, the informationgenerated from the analysis of the first level is stored in recordsdatabase 1608, at step 1806. The information may include the detailsabout the sub-menu and the numbers to be dialed to access the sub-menu.For example, with reference to FIG. 2A, the information for option 204Amay include, instruction part ‘pizza order’ and number part ‘2’ in thedatabase. At step 1808, it is determined whether there are any sub-menusin the audible IVR menu. The sub-menus may be detected based on theinformation analyzed from the audible IVR menu. In an embodiment of theinvention, sub-menus are detected based on the information stored in thedatabase. In case the audible IVR menu contains sub-menus, then thesub-menus are analyzed, at step 1810. The sub-menus may be analyzed in asimilar manner as the first level of audible IVR menu as discussedabove. Subsequently, at step 1812, the information corresponding to thesub-menus is stored in records database 1608. At step 1814, it isdetermined whether there are any further sub-menus in the sub-menus ofthe audible IVR menu. DCS 1606 may make select an option for every menuto connect accordingly and determine if a final destination is reachedor there is another layer of menu options to be processed. Once thefinal destination it reached, DCS 1606 may “hang-up” the connection andregister the results. Further, DCS 1606 may dial again to iterativelydiscover the full menu of the IVR. In case, there are further sub-menusthen each sub-menu is analyzed as discussed above. The process isiterated till the complete audible IVR menu with the sub-menus isanalyzed. Further, the destinations may be dialed multiple times toensure that complete audible IVR menu and sub-menus are analyzed.Moreover, records database 1608 may be automatically checked andverified after complete analysis of the audible IVR menu. For example,all or various options or sub-menus in the audible IVR menu may beselected randomly or based on a pre-defined pattern to verify theinformation in records database 1608. In an embodiment of the invention,DCS 1606 may be use quality marks for every term recognized during theprocess. For example, low marks may indicate relatively higherprobability that the recognition was wrong. Further, follow-up steps mayprovide higher priority to check and validate the terms that receivedlow marks. Such check may be performed by an additional automatic systemor by human operators. In an embodiment of the invention, thedestinations may be connected automatically through various probeservers to analyze the audible IVR menus. The probe may be implementedas a script, a computer program, or firmware, on remote server 1002, asshown with reference to FIG. 10. Further, the audible IVR menus may beanalyzed by human operators, in case of malfunction or other issues withthe automatic functioning.

In an embodiment of the invention, records database 1608 may be updatedautomatically based on a pre-defined update time interval. The updatemay be required to validate the correctness of information in thedatabase. Moreover, records database 1608 may be updated based onratings from users of Visuphone. For example, the caller may identifythat a visual menu incorrect or incomplete, and may subsequently providea rating to the visual menu. Further, an administrator or user ofrecords database 1608 may update it manually.

Various audible IVR menus require audio commands from the caller insteadof selecting options. DCS 1606 analyzes such IVRs to generate recordsdatabase 1608. In an embodiment of the invention, a two-phase processmay be applied to generate records database 1608. In the first phase astandard menu is generated for the IVR that may relate to a particularclass of the destinations. A class can be a business class, for example,banks, airlines, hospitals and so forth. The first phase could beextended to cover as many domains as possible so that standard menusexist for most business classes of destinations. In the second phase,the IVR that requires a natural language voice command may beinterrogated by repetitively applying the standard menus according tothe class. Therefore, the relevance of the standard menu for thespecific IVR is confirmed. In the process, a stored voice or synthesizedvoice could be use for each menu option. Thereafter, the menu may bestored in records database 1608 based on the confirmation. Some IVRmenus may be require any or both of natural language commands and dialtones. In such a case, both options could be made available in therecords database 1608, and eventually in the visual menu database forthe caller at the time of use. As discussed with reference to FIG. 17,DCS 1606 may determine the type of audible IVR menu for generatingrecords database 1608.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary set of IVR categories 1902. As shown acategory A 1904 refers to typical audible IVR menus that present IVRoptions to the caller that can be selected from simple dial toneselections. In this case, DCS 1606 may provide various dial tones to theIVR for analyzing it, and generating records for records database 1608.A category B 1906 refers to an audible IVR menu that requires the callerto answer some initial questions, before presenting simple dial toneoptions for further menu. For example, the caller may be required toselect a language preference, before presenting the menu. A category C1908 may require the caller to provide some personal information beforepresenting the menu. For example, the caller may be required to input anaccount number, a phone number, a customer number and so forth. Acategory C 1910 refers to an IVR menu that may require voice inputs ornatural language selection from the caller. In this case, DCS 1606generates an activation code that points to a recorded voice phrase or acode that can instruct to synthesize the proper voice phrase required.

Additional variations of the categories include an IVR menu thatprovides a legal notice. For example, the audible IVR menu of a mortgagebank usually include an header stating that this is debt collector andanything stated during the call could be used for future collections.Other statements can be such as those that relate to the option torecord the call and so forth. The statement may be registered and addedto records database 1608, so that the legal statement can be presentedwith the visual menu. Further, additional statements may be added at theend of the statements regarding the last time when the IVR was verified.

FIG. 20A illustrates an exemplary information process for an IVR menustored in records database 1608. Sometimes, an audible IVR may requestthe caller for some specific or personal information that is other thanselection of IVR options. ILM 1726 may mark such requests and processthem separately. ILM 1726 can identify the such requests based on acombination of the identity code and an ordered list of activationcodes. As shown, the records database content 2002 may include exemplaryrequest 2004 a “Please enter the invoice number”, request 2006 a “Pleaseenter the payment amount”, request 2008 a “Please choose your paymentcard: Press 1 for VISA and 2 for Mastercard”, request 2010 a “Please sayor enter credit card number”, and request 2012 a “Please enter yourCredit Card expiry date”.

Corresponding to these requests a display may be generated on the user'sdevice, an exemplary illustration is as shown with reference to FIG.20B. As shown, a web form 2014 is generated corresponding to therequests. Web form 2014 may be presented on a web browser of the user'sdevice. In another embodiment of the invention, the display is presentedas an independent form on the display of the device. Therefore, thedevice may not require a web browser application. Web form 2014 mayinclude single or multiple pages. Further, in case the information isdisplayed directly on device, then various screens, layers or scroll maybe used to display the information. Web form 2014 may include an inputbox 2004 b corresponding to request 2004 a, input box 2006 bcorresponding to request 2006 a, input box 2008 b corresponding torequest 2008 a, input box 2010 b corresponding to request 2010 a, inputbox 2012 b corresponding to request 2012 a, and a submit button 2016.The Visuphone on the user's device may automatically complete some oreven all the require details based on stored profile or previous inputsof the user. Therefore, the user may only (if at all) be required tocomplete the missing information manually. Subsequently, the Visuphonemay connect to the IVR after the user clicks on the submit button 2016.Further, the Visuphone may navigate to the process root within the IVRmenu, revalidate the process input requests, and transmit the user datato the IVR without any action from the user. Moreover, the Visuphone mayhide the IVR validation question such as questions like “are you sure”,“did you mean XXX?”, and so forth. After the submission, a response suchas, but not limited to, a receipt number, specific flight landing time,and so forth may be presented to the user. The response from the IVR canbe in various forms, for example, but not limited to, a recorded audibleresponse or a transcript of the audible response.

In another embodiment of the invention, electronic yellow pagesdirectory allows the dialing the number directly from the directory andfurther provides the visual menu of the destination. The caller canselect the exact destination before dialing or follow the visual menuafter dialing. For example, an airline company might have variousoption, menus and layers in the large organization. Selecting the exactdepartment in the organization before dialing can save the user the timeand overhead of listening to the menu and making decisions based on thevoice menu. The yellow pages company can have a copy of the visual menudatabase or can be connected to a visual menu service in order toprovide the menu to the user.

Alternatively an enhanced web base yellow page could be provided,wherein the caller can first choose the provider he requires to contact.Thereafter, if that destination provides an IVR, then the enhancedyellow page will use the visual menu database to present a visual menuon the web page. Moreover, the caller can click to choose the internaldestination of that provider and the enhanced yellow page mayaccordingly initiate the call. The call could be made using theconventional telephone network or PSTN. In this case, the enhancedyellow page may need the caller's telephone number to perform theconnection. Alternatively, the enhanced yellow page could use VOIP toconnect the caller over the web to the IVR of the destination.

In some IVR systems, the caller may have to wait or hold on a queue ofprevious dialers until the specific department or agent is available. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the enhanced yellow page systemwill connect the caller only after the specific agent is available,without waiting in a long waiting line queue. The system can recognizethat the waiting queue message of the specific department, and toconnect the user only after the agent is answering. Therefore, thewaiting time of the caller on the phone queue that sometimes may be verylong, may be reduced. The system can park on the line for the waitingline on the specific entry in the menu, as soon as the agent isavailable, the caller gets a signal to start the conversation with theagent.

Additional advantage of the invention relates to callers who are moreproficient in foreign language. Visuphone may provide the visual menu inmultiple languages. A caller can than choose a language of his choiceand download to his device database the menu in that language.

Yet another advantage of the invention relates to IVR that ask for voicecommands. This IVR interface is for some user harder to use due toaccent or other problems. The database could be provided with the optionas been described before for the system to output voice commandaccording to caller selection of the menu options.

Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to blockdiagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according toembodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block ofthe diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers,special purpose computers, or other programmable data processingtranslator to produce machines, such that the instructions which executeon the computers or other programmable data processing translator createmeans for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks.Such computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meansthat implement the function specified in the block or blocks.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. The invention has been described in thegeneral context of computing devices, phone and computer-executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, characters,components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. A person skilled in the artwill appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computersystem configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Further,the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing worldswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computing world,program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storagedevices.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopethe invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for enhancing interaction withInteractive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, comprising: accessing adatabase, wherein the database comprises a list of telephone numbersassociated with a plurality of destinations and associated visual IVRmenu for each destination, and wherein the visual IVR menus are groupedbased on at least one category, and each category is associated with astandard visual menu; communicating between the user device and the IVRsystem by dialing a telephone number and using a voice only channel andnot a data network; pulling at least one visual IVR menu from saiddatabase, wherein said visual IVR menu is a standard visual menuassociated with the category related to the telephone number dialed bysaid user, wherein the visual IVR menu is retrieved from the databaseand not from the IVR system; and displaying on the user device saidvisual IVR menu using at least one icon.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said destinations are grouped based on at least one categorywithin said database.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprising generating atleast one personal record from said at least one user and storing saidat least one personal record in the database.
 4. The method of claim 3,comprising downloading one or more activation codes associated with saidat least one personal record, and wherein said activation codes areassociated with one or more internal destinations of said at least onepersonal record.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising associating apersonal record of at least one caller with at least one of saidtelephone numbers and with said at least one caller's phone number. 6.The method of claim 1, comprising associating code related to a businessdomain of at least one of said destinations with at least one personalrecord of said user.
 7. A method for enhancing interaction withInteractive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, comprising: accessing adatabase, wherein said database comprises a list of telephone numbersassociated with a plurality of destinations and associated visual IVRmenu for each destination, each destination implementing an IVR, andwherein the visual IVR menus are grouped based on at least one categoryand each category is associated with a standard visual menu;communicating between the user device and the IVR system by dialing atelephone number and using a voice only channel and not a data network;pulling at least one visual IVR menu from said database, wherein saidvisual IVR menu is a standard visual menu associated with the categoryrelated to the telephone number dialed by said user, wherein the visualIVR menu is retrieved from the database and not from the IVR system; anddisplaying at least one advertisement, wherein said advertisement isselected based on at least one category associated with said at leastone visual IVR menu.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least onevisual IVR menu comprises at least one icon.
 9. The method of claim 7,comprises generating at least one personal record of said at least oneuser and storing said at least one personal record in said database. 10.The method of claim 9, comprises downloading one or more activationcodes associated with at least one personal record of the user, andwherein said activation codes are associated with one or more internaldestinations of said at least one personal record.
 11. The method ofclaim 7, comprises associating a personal record of the user with atleast one of said telephone numbers.
 12. The method of claim 7,comprises associating a code related to a business domain of at leastone of said destinations with at least one personal record of said user.13. A method for enhancing interaction with Interactive Voice Response(IVR) destinations, comprising: accessing a database, wherein saiddatabase comprises a list of telephone numbers associated with aplurality of destinations and associated visual IVR menu for eachdestination, each destination implementing an IVR, and wherein thevisual IVR menus are grouped based on at least one category, and eachcategory is associated with a standard visual menu; communicatingbetween the user device and the IVR system by dialing a telephone numberand using a voice only channel and not a data network; pulling at leastone visual IVR menu from said database wherein said visual IVR menu is astandard visual menu associated with the category related to thetelephone number dialed by said user, wherein the visual IVR menu isretrieved from the database and not from the IVR system; and displayingon an apparatus said at least one visual IVR menu using at least oneicon, wherein said apparatus is not a telephone call generatingapparatus.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said apparatus isselected from the group consisting of: a picture frame, a TV, a vehiclemultifunction display, or a computer screen.
 15. The method of claim 13,comprises displaying at least one advertisement.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein said visual IVR menu comprises at least one icon.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, comprises generating at least one personal recordassociated with said user and storing said at least one personal recordin said database.
 18. The method of claim 13, comprises downloading oneor more activation codes associated with at least one personal record ofthe user.
 19. The method of claim 13, comprises associating a personalrecord of the user with at least one of said telephone numbers.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, comprises associating a code related to a businessdomain of at least one of said destinations with at least one personalrecord of said user.